Why in News?
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of a six-year “Mission for Aatmanirbharta (Self-Reliance) in Pulses” during the Union Budget 2025-26. The government has allocated ₹1,000 crore for this mission, aiming to achieve self-sufficiency in tur/arhar (pigeon pea), urad (black gram), and masoor (red lentil). This initiative includes MSP-based procurement, post-harvest management, and technology-driven solutions for pulses farming.
However, this announcement comes at a time when India’s pulses imports are expected to reach an all-time high. The imports for 2024-25 could exceed 5.9 billion USD, surpassing the previous record of $4.24 billion in 2016-17. This development raises questions about India’s strategy for pulses self-sufficiency, especially considering that the country had almost achieved this goal just two years ago.
Introduction
Pulses are a staple protein source in the Indian diet and a crucial component of agricultural production. Despite various government initiatives, India continues to rely on imports to meet domestic demand. Between 2013-14 and 2016-17, pulses imports peaked due to increased domestic consumption, rising from 51.83 lakh tonnes to 58.41 lakh tonnes. However, self-sufficiency was nearly achieved between 2018-2021, when imports reduced significantly.
Currently, pulses imports are rising again, necessitating policy interventions to boost domestic production. The government’s renewed focus on Aatmanirbharta in pulses is crucial for stabilizing food security, ensuring price stability, and reducing import dependence.
Point-Wise Summary
- Overview of India’s Pulses Imports and Production Trends
- Pulses imports have surged in recent years, reaching $3.82 billion (April-November 2024), marking a 56.6% increase from the previous year.
- Import value for the 2024-25 fiscal year is projected at $5.9 billion, setting a new record.
- Between 2018-2021, pulses imports declined due to higher domestic production, achieving near self-sufficiency.
- However, rising demand and stagnant productivity in certain pulses (tur/arhar, urad, and masoor) have led to increased dependence on imports.
- Government’s ₹1,000 Crore Aatmanirbharta Mission in Pulses
- The mission aims to achieve self-reliance in three key pulse crops:
- Tur/Arhar (Pigeon Pea)
- Urad (Black Gram)
- Masoor (Red Lentil)
- The plan includes:
- MSP-based procurement to ensure farmers get fair prices.
- Post-harvest management solutions to reduce storage losses.
- Technology-driven advancements to improve yield and quality.
- The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF) will procure pulses from farmers.
- Reversal of Aatmanirbharta: From Self-Sufficiency to Record Imports
- Between 2013-14 and 2016-17, pulses imports increased from 51.83 lakh tonnes to 58.41 lakh tonnes due to rising domestic consumption.
- 2018-2021: India achieved near self-sufficiency, with imports falling to 24.61 lakh tonnes in 2020-21 and 27.06 lakh tonnes in 2021-22.
- 2023-24: Imports surged again, crossing 51.07 lakh tonnes, indicating a decline in domestic production.
- Success Story of Peas (Matar) and Moong Dal
- Moong and peas have shown a positive production trend due to effective government interventions.
- Domestic production of moong dal increased from 9.56 lakh tonnes (2013-14) to 22.22 lakh tonnes (2021-22).
- New short-duration varieties of moong dal have enabled farmers to grow
the crop twice a year, once post-kharif and once post-rabi, using residual soil moisture.
- Peas (matar) production is at a seven-year high, showing resilience in domestic supply.
- Challenges in Achieving Self-Reliance in Pulses
Achieving Aatmanirbharta in pulses is easier said than done. The major challenges include:
- Long Growing Duration of Pulses
- Tur/arhar takes 170-240 days to mature, limiting the number of crops a farmer can grow in a year.
- Urad and masoor take 120-150 days, making them less attractive compared to high-yield crops.
- Competition with Alternative Crops
- Rice, wheat, and sugarcane are more lucrative for farmers, particularly in Punjab and Haryana.
- Karnataka farmers have shifted to alternative crops due to unpredictable returns from pulses.
- Weather and Climate Risks
- Erratic monsoons and droughts directly impact pulses production.
- Unlike rice and wheat, pulses are rain-dependent and more vulnerable to climate change.
- Lack of Hybrid Seeds and Mechanization
- There is a need for new hybrid varieties of tur/arhar and urad that mature in 150 days or less.
- Traditional harvesting methods increase labor costs and make pulses less competitive.
- Inefficiency in MSP Procurement
- While MSP is provided for pulses, procurement is inconsistent, forcing many farmers to sell at lower market prices.
- Delayed procurement processes discourage farmers from growing pulses in the long run.
- Policy Recommendations for Self-Sufficiency
To achieve Aatmanirbharta in pulses, India must adopt a multi-pronged strategy:
- Developing Short-Duration and High-Yield Pulses
- Research institutions should focus on developing hybrid varieties that mature faster and yield more.
- Investment in biotechnology and genetic engineering is needed to improve pulses’ resilience.
- Expanding MSP and Procurement Efficiency
- Strengthening NAFED and NCCF’s procurement network can ensure better price realization for farmers.
- Direct cash transfers to pulse growers can reduce dependency on middlemen.
- Crop Diversification and Incentives
- Government incentives should encourage crop rotation between pulses and cereals to maintain soil fertility.
- Subsidies for nitrogen-fixing pulse crops like moong, urad, and arhar can make them economically viable.
- Climate Adaptation Strategies
- Investments in drought-resistant pulses can help mitigate climate risks.
- Promoting water-efficient irrigation techniques can make pulses farming more sustainable.
- Strengthening Domestic Value Chains
- Improving storage and processing facilities can minimize post-harvest losses.
- Encouraging private sector investments in pulse-processing industries can enhance supply chain efficiency.
Key Terms and Their Explanation
- Aatmanirbharta (Self-Reliance) – A policy framework aimed at reducing India’s dependence on imports and promoting domestic production.
- Minimum Support Price (MSP) – A government-fixed price at which crops are procured from farmers to ensure price stability.
- Tur/Arhar (Pigeon Pea) – A widely consumed pulse in India, known for its long growing duration.
- Urad (Black Gram) – A protein-rich pulse used in Indian cuisine, facing supply constraints.
- Masoor (Red Lentil) – Another important pulse with rising import dependency.
- NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) – A government agency responsible for procuring and marketing agricultural produce.
- Hybrid Seeds – Genetically improved seeds that provide higher yields and better resistance to pests and weather changes.
- Crop Rotation – A farming practice where different crops are grown in succession to improve soil health and productivity.
- Climate Resilience in Agriculture – Techniques and policies aimed at making crops more resistant to climate variability.
- Import Substitution – The process of replacing imported goods with domestically produced alternatives.
Conclusion
The renewed focus on Aatmanirbharta in pulses is a strategic necessity to enhance food security, stabilize prices, and reduce dependency on imports. While India has successfully achieved near self-sufficiency in moong and peas, tur, urad, and masoor remain a challenge due to their long growing duration, poor procurement policies, and lack of hybrid seed technology.
The ₹1,000 crore mission is a step in the right direction, but its success will depend on:
- Adopting new hybrid varieties with shorter growing cycles.
- Expanding MSP procurement networks to ensure fair farmer compensation.
- Encouraging climate-resilient farming techniques.
- Developing efficient supply chains for pulses processing and distribution.
